Happy New Year?

What unique challenges will the Enforcement Industry be facing in this year particularly? We may well have been relieved that COVID-19 restrictions hampering any fair form of Civil Enforcement during the best part of the past three years have now been lifted completely, only to find the nation plummeting into an economic crisis, with public finances stretched beyond belief and private investment almost non-existent. We are, it seems, a seriously cash strapped country.

What this is going to mean on a wider scale is an increase of those finding themselves in debt, additional stress for those already experiencing hardships and for some, already struggling with severe financial difficulties, the possible slide into desperation.

It is a total myth that the creation of additional debt through recession creates income opportunities to the Debt Collection Industry. The situation cannot be seen as positive in any way. There is simply a higher proportion of individuals who find they cannot afford to settle their liabilities and it becomes our job to establish those who cannot, from those who will not, pay their way.

Our Industry is one of just a few which experiences the more extreme consequences of recession up close and personal. We encounter some individuals who have run out of options and are not sure where to turn to next. Our intended actions can polarise a situation which may have been blighting their lives for months or even years and we are in the perfect position to help them deal with it once and for all.

As a trained Mental Health First Aider, I understand that now, more than ever, it is important to recognise potentially vulnerable individuals. These will not generally be those who have identified themselves as vulnerable but often, these are persons who have been highlighted to the Vulnerability Team as presenting a cause for concern. Recent research conducted by The Samaritans concluded: “We found that income and unmanageable debt, unemployment, poor housing conditions, and other socio-economic factors all contribute to high suicide rates” (Samaritans. org). As an increasing number of our society start to fall within these categories, it is vital to be as vigilant as possible.

Engaging our customers in meaningful conversations, asking the right questions and building up a picture of their particular situation, is key to handling their debt resolution as effectively as possible. The skill is working out the best way forward which may be a combination of enforcement actions, arrangements to pay and signposting debt payers to professional help where appropriate.

With the challenges which this particular financial climate now poses for us, it is simply not acceptable to use Enforcement as a blunt instrument. It has evolved into the catalyst we now use to start effective dialog, encouraging the successful collection of debts owed in a fair, accountable and robust manner.

As we move into 2023 it is more important than ever that we react to people on an individual basis, appreciating where help is required but not forgetting we have a duty to collect the collatable where it is being withheld.

Julie Darvill MHFA Whyte & Co Recovery Supervisor/Vulnerability Team